Ebony Bird
FanSided

Who the Baltimore Ravens lost this off-season and who replaces them

By Richard Bradshaw

BALTIMORE, MARYLAND - JANUARY 06: Philip Rivers #17 of the Los Angeles Chargers hugs Terrell Suggs #55 2 of the Baltimore Ravens after the AFC Wild Card Playoff game at M&T Bank Stadium on January 06, 2019 in Baltimore, Maryland. The Chargers defeated the Ravens with a score of 23 to 17. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
BALTIMORE, MARYLAND - JANUARY 06: Philip Rivers #17 of the Los Angeles Chargers hugs Terrell Suggs #55 2 of the Baltimore Ravens after the AFC Wild Card Playoff game at M&T Bank Stadium on January 06, 2019 in Baltimore, Maryland. The Chargers defeated the Ravens with a score of 23 to 17. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images) /
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OWINGS MILLS, MARYLAND – JUNE 10: Matt Judon #99 of the Baltimore Ravens poses for a portrait at the Under Armour Performance Center on June 10, 2019 in Owings Mills, Maryland. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)
OWINGS MILLS, MARYLAND – JUNE 10: Matt Judon #99 of the Baltimore Ravens poses for a portrait at the Under Armour Performance Center on June 10, 2019 in Owings Mills, Maryland. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images) /

Lost: Terrell Suggs

Let’s face it, there is absolutely no replacing Hall of Fame players once they leave. You can have all the success plans you want, but losing that caliber player will always set your team back.The Baltimore Ravens will learn this the hard way in 2019, as they look to play without Terrell Suggs for the first time since 2003.

Suggs has been the heart and soul of Baltimore’s defense since Ray Lewis retired following the 2012 season. Suggs picked up a leadership role and never released his grip on it. It always helps that he had elite production, with 132.5 sacks to his name. The swagger and passion that T-Sizzle brought to Charm City and the Ravens team are priceless, and watching them leave was devastating.

Depending on who you ask, you might have someone tell you that the loss of Suggs was worse than losing C.J. Mosley. Losing both in one off-season though? Yikes… It certainly is a changing of the guard for the Baltimore Ravens in 2019, and we’re waiting impatiently to see how it all will unfold.

Replacement: Matt Judon

No, Jaylon Ferguson will not be asked to replace Terrell Suggs despite breaking his College Football records. TThis is even more relevant for Tyus Bowser and Tim Williams. Instead, Baltimore will lean on the established Matt Judon to guide their pass rush in 2019.

Judon has racked up 19.0 sacks in his three seasons with the Ravens, with 15.0 of those coming in the last two seasons. Judon has been a pillar of consistency for the team while the rest of the pass rushing core has struggled to carry its weight. This season, however, a lot of pressure will be put on Judon to not only perform well, but to lead the pass rush entirely.

Baltimore’s edge rushing group is incredibly young with intriguing, but entirely unproven talent. The three players we just mentioned (Ferguson, Bowser, Williams) should get their fair-share of snaps this season, but it’ll be up to Judon to set them up for success. As long as he continues crashing one side of the opposing offensive line, he’ll help make it easier for the rest of his teammates.

dark. Next. Could the Baltimore Ravens have two 1,000-yard rushers in 2019?

The Baltimore Ravens are relying on a lot of new faces to replace key players from the 2018 season. There will likely be a lot of growing pains, but it definitely will be fun to see how the new crew gels together.

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